UT professors build bonds in Jordan

As world leaders grapple with issues such as diplomacy and democracy with Middle Eastern countries, some University of Tennessee communications professors are quietly building relationships, both professional and sometimes personal, with colleagues in the nation of Jordan. "

"It's been a delight for me to travel there once or twice a year," said Dr. Robert Legg, professor of communications at UT. Legg recently returned from what could be his final visit as part of a three-year project at Middle East University for Graduate Studies in Imman.

Legg and his fellow professors in the College of Communication and Information helped start the school's first masters level program in journalism. He is also teaching the school's first electronic media course.

The Jordan Media Strength project is funded by a $5 million grant from International Research and Exchanges, a worldwide nonrofit organization with the goal of strengthening media and improving education.

"Initially the underlying purpose was to develop relationships. Under that, we were there to teach western values," said Legg.

Those values include freedom of the press and of speech.

"We're used to total freedom here, but they're pushing the bubble," Legg said.

Legg has helped the university build a working news room complete with editing equipment and software and to train students and faculty on the use of technology. The professors are helping train a new generation of "backpack journalists," independent videographers and reporters who can gather the news, either for television or posting on the Internet.

While Legg has spent much of his time in Imman, fellow professors Dr. Sam Swan and Dr. Jim Stovall have been working with Yarmouk University in Irbid to set up a new state-of-the-art newspaper lab and other computer technology there.

"In a lot of the world, newspapers aren't in financial trouble as they are here. The Internet isn't as pervasive over there," Swan said.

But the Web offers freedom from restrictions in a country where most of the official media is government owned and controlled.

"In order for democracy to exist, there must be a free press," Swan said. "Students over there were frustrated with that."

Jordan is still a fairly open country and is an American ally. Because it borders Iraq, Legg said the U.S. government is very interested in helping foster democracy and a free press.

But after nearly three years, the American educators are crossing the borders between work and friendship as well.

On his most recent two trips, Legg was invited into homes for meals. Often the experience was a bit of a cultural challenge.

"As the guest, one time I got the largest sheep's head on the table. I didn't quite know how to handle that," Legg said.

Being the diplomat, he followed the lead of his host and tried it.

But IREX also wants to see results. Once UT's portion of the grant ends in July, the faculty will have to evaluate the outcomes, something Legg said will be difficult.

"We've established laboratories and trained the faculty. It's hard to say what will happen," he said.

Faculty members at both Jordanian schools remain skeptical about the need for change.

"We're now at a point to decide if we can equip a newsroom if there's nobody who is willing to teach it," said Swan, who will likely pay one more visit to Yarmouk this summer to evaluate efforts there.

Success may be measured in several ways according to Legg. "I think it's a success because we've exchanged ideas," he said.

Swan said those ideas and attitudes are also being passed on to students at UT.

"We think it helps our students understand the world by stimulating discussion on these issues," Swan said.

He added the legacy of the project, as is true here many times, is likely in the hands of the students.

"The young people are the activists," he said. "Just like here."

Scott Brooks is a freelance contributor to the News Sentinel.